Huntsville gazette., 1887-03-19

ing at their cheerful, contented faces,
that the thatched roof of the little
stone-walled cottage shelters alike the
family COW, and the razor-back Breton
pig; and that the hens lay their eggs
under the bed and roost at night be-
meath the comb of the roof. He for
gets that the solitary room, with its
mud floor, is parlor, bedroom and
kitchen alike, and almost wishes his lot
was cast among these simple folks.
But the months go by, and finally
the report comes that returning Ter
renevaugh is entering the harbor. The
news spreads, and a procession of old
men, women and children IS soon on
its way to st. Malo. Every cottage
adds to this procession of pilgrims, and
long before the returning voyagers can
be distinguished on the decks the cliff.
are dotted with spectators, and the.
good people of St. Malo are crowded
out upon the quay. Every gazer strains
his or her eyes to identify the vessel,
and wagers are offered on her name.
There is jubilant feeling in the
crowds, for if ones own friends should
not prove to be on board, each one may
hear tidings of those friends. But the
joyful cries will be stilled and feeling
of anxiety and dread will follow, if,
perchance, the trim little trans-Atlan-
tic fishing-craft is seen, after she has
rounded the rock called the Grand Bey,
at the entrance to the harbor, where
lies buried the great Chateaubriand, to
have her yards "cock-billed" or slanted
across each other, for it means that
some disaster has happened and that
there are more widows in Brittany.
Only those who have seen it know what
a sorrowful appearance it gives a ship
to have her yards "cockbilled.h As
the vessel drops her anchor in the
waters of the Rance, cannon boom
again from the embrasures of the
Solidor Tower. The fishermen as they
land are hugged and confused with
questions. Every mother wants to
know of her son, every wife of her
husband, and every sweetheart of hel
lover.
Once l saw a Terrenevaugh come in
the harbor. She had her yards .'cock-
billed and her flag lowered. A pall
fell upon the waiting throng on the
quay. As the small boat bearing the
men came within haiLing distance, a
sweet, clear voice rang out:
"As-tu IA mon Eugene la bas?''
The cry came from u young girl of
not more than nineteen, and of exceed
ing comeliness. No reply was heard
from the sailors in the boat. and they
rowed silently to the quay, and step
ping on the staging, were surrounded.
Foremost in the pushing throng was
the comely peasant girl, and L heard
her ask again for cher Eugene. One
of the fishermen said something to her,
and she fell fainting on the wet land
ing. Strong and tender arms carried
her away. Itwas her brother she asked
after, learned afterward. He had
been lost.
During October, and until far into
November, the Terrenevaughs come
sailing into st. Malo harbor. and the
glad reunions and scenes of sorrow are
repeated. The old medieval town, the
chief city OF Ann of Brittany, takes on
a modern, bustling, commercial look.
The cargoes Of the returning fleet are
unloaded on the quays, which are piled
high with bales of Goldfish.
1t is not uncommon, when, during
the fishing season, the vessel is in dam
ger, for the crew to VOW to the Holy
Virgin that if they are brought safely
through the peril, they viii make a
pelerinage, or pilgrimage, to some
chapel, and offer up special thanks
giving service. This VOW is always
strictly carried out on their return.
The most ingenious sailor on board
carves on the homeward voyage a per-
feet representation of their ship. No
matter how clumsy or ugly it may be,
the model is as exact as his skill can
make it, even to the blocks and pulleys.
On the day fixed for the pelerinage, the
crew, headed by the sailor who made
it, carrying the model, form in process
sion, and, bare-footed, bare-headed,
and in their shirt-sleeves, march to the
chapel. Their families go with them,
the priest is in readiness, and high
mass is performed. When the services
are over, the miniature ship is left
swinging in the church.
There is not a Roman Catholic Church
in all Brittany that does not contain
some of these tiny vessels. The Chap
ellie de l'Epine at st. Briac has more,
probably, than any other. They are
always suspended from the ceiling by
invisible cords, and seem to the OBJ
server to be miniature fleet floating
in mid air.-L. C. Bradford, IN Youth s
Companion.
A Carnivorous Antelope.